Apple Watch is now a better one-handed device with watchOS 27, thanks to useful new tap gestures. Here’s what it does.
New tap gestures now available in watchOS 27, joining Apple’s double tap and wrist flick features
Starting with Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023, Apple is making it easier to use the wearable with gestures when your hands are full.
Double tap was the first gesture. You can play/pause media, answer calls, interact with your smart stack, and more.
And last year, watchOS 26 added a flick of the wrist as a gesture to clear everything on the screen and return to the watch face.
watchOS 27 introduces a new tap gesture. According to Apple’s website:
Tap your index finger and thumb together once to select a widget in the smart stack, and instantly see what’s relevant to you, even if your other hand is occupied.
Tap gestures are easier than you think. The basic gesture is the same as a double tap, but it’s a single tap and has a different purpose.
I’ve been using the tap gesture in the watchOS 27 beta, and it’s a great complement to the other gestures on the Apple Watch.
When Double Tap first came out, I found it a bit gimmicky and unreliable. However, it has improved considerably in the last few years. These days I always use double tap to interact with smart stacks when my other hand is tied.
With watchOS 27, you can double-tap to open Smart Stacks, and active widgets now have a glow around them. This light indicates that you can select widgets and open apps with a single tap with the new gesture.
All gestures work well together. Double-tap to navigate, tap to select, and return to smart stacks with a flick of the wrist.
Whether you’re carrying a child, doing the dishes, or otherwise have your hands full, you’ll find three gestures in watchOS 27 extremely useful.
Do you think you’ll use the tap gesture in watchOS 27? Let us know in the comments.
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